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Pearls of Ukraine |
Day 1: Lviv – arrive in Lviv, one of the largest cities of Ukraine, its famous cultural center, the city with a unique cultural heritage from the 14 th cent., created by many generations and various nationalities. The city of Lviv is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Sightseeing tour of the city which was established at the crossroads of ancient trade routes from the frontiers of ancient cultures. Its unique architectural monuments, the cosy and somewhat mystic medieval atmosphere and the traditions and charm have been remarkably preserved through the ages. Visit to the largely baroque St.George Cathedral, ancient Lviv Universities , ample central avenues, beautiful theatres, monuments and parks. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the city from the High Castle Hill. Hotel check-in. Free afternoon. Welcome dinner with ethnic music in a Ukrainian national restaurant.
Day 2: Lviv - walking tour of medieval Lviv. You begin in the main square, the Rynok, with Renaissance facades from the 16 th cent., Town Hall building and fountains and continue to the late 16 th -cent. Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the largely Gothic Roman Catholic Cathedral and the ancient Armenian Cathedral, an ensemble with parts dating back to the 13th cent. After lunch break you explore one of Lviv museums: the National Museum - a unique collection of Ukrainian icons; the Ethnographic Museum, in a sumptuous palace, excellently displays traditional arts and crafts; the City Arsenal, a museum of arms and armour; the Lviv Art Gallery (if available) with a unique collection of western artists' works. Dinner in one of finest Lviv's restaurants. Performance in the renowned Lviv Opera House (if available).
Day 3: Lviv, Symferopol, Yalta – flight for Symferopol. Your motor coach takes you along the " Golden Highway 's" breathtaking scenery of plunging cliff's until you reach the charming town of Yalta . After dinner, you settle for a night of much needed rest and sleep.
Day 4: Yalta – sightseeing tour of the town to the Palace in Livadia — the residence of the Romanovs' where the Alliance of Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin held the Yalta Conference in 1945; the house where Anton Chekhov lived and created as well as the museum of Ukraine's greatest poetess, Lesia Ukrainka. The afternoon is spent at leisure, enjoying a swim in the emerald waters of the Black Sea or sipping Crimean wines and cognacs. This evening you will join us for dinner in one of Yalta 's local restaurants and explore the city's night life or try your luck in one of the hotel's casinos.
Day 5: Yalta - drive past the slopping hills on our way to Alupka perched on the coastal Ai-Petri. En route, stop to take photos of the fascinating medieval, miniature castle perched above the sea—Swallow's Nest The lavish palace of the Vorontsovs' family with its elaborate mixture of English-Tudor and Moorish architectural styles. Enjoy the afternoon by taking a leisurely swim in the tepid waters of the Black Sea that is what Yalta is best noted for - pristine beaches, lush vegetation, palm trees and balmy climate. After an early dinner we suggest you pack for next days departure.
Day 6: Yalta , Bakhchysaray, Symferopol, Kyiv - set off northwards for the capital of the Crimean khanate— Bakhchysaray. This exotic fortress, palace, with its minarets, cemetery and harem room was the residence of the Tartar khan—Chafut-Kale. Lunch in the local restaurant (Tatar cuisine). Fly from Symferopil to Kyiv. Hotel check-in.
Day 7: Kyiv – guided sightseeing tour of the city to St. Sophia Cathedral – a unique piece of the Ukrainian monumental architecture and art from the 11 th cent., Golden Gates (11 th cent.), St. Volodymyr's Cathedral - of a great artistic value, erected in 1882 in neo-Byzantine style, St. Andrew's Church (18 th cent.) - Rastrelli's masterpiece and the newly restored St. Michael's cathedral. Lunch break. The afternoon is yours to enjoy a walk on the wide chest nut trees lined Khreshchatyk street , sit in a sidewalk cafe over a cup of coffee. Dinner. In the evening you are invited to a performance in the National Opera House of Kyiv (if available).
Day 8: Kyiv - the morning is spent exploring the city's most valuable treasure – Kyiv-Cave Monastery – one of the biggest orthodox monasteries worldwide. It is a unique architectural complex of gilded domed churches and multiple caves from the 12 th cent. A visit to the Museum of ‘Historical Treasures of Ukraine'. After a short rest and freshening up, you may choose to walk along ancient cobblestone streets of Andriyivskyy Uzviz – the ‘Montmatre of Kyiv' – a colourful market of ethnic crafts and local artists' works. Dinner in the hotel.
Day 9: Kyiv – You are invited to explore an open air Museum of Ukrainian Architecture in Pyrohovo that has an excellent collection of over 300 ethnic wooden cabins/chalets, household utensils, clothes, art works (optional). Farewell lunch with ethnic music in the Ukrainian national restaurant. Departure for the airport.
The estimated cost of the programme is (in Euro):
Group Size |
DBL |
SNG |
10+1 |
979 |
1202 |
20+1 |
855 |
1060 |
30+1 |
779 |
978 |
40+1 |
748 |
939 |
The price includes accommodation at 3-4* hotels (8 nights), meals HB (including welcoming and farewell dinners/lunches at a national restaurant with a glass of wine and live music), excursions according to the programme, entrance fees to the museums included in the programme, services of an accompanying English (German, French, Italian) speaking guide, city and museum guides, transfers to and from the railway station/airport, transportation for the tours according to the programme. (The group leader = gratis)
The price does NOT include: Plane tickets Lviv-Simferopol (from 105 Euro/pax +VAT) and Simferopol-Kyiv (from 105 Euro/pax +VAT)
Optional programme : entertainment program by typical Lviv cabaret (250 Euro per group). Tour to the open-air Museum of Ukrainian Architecture in Pyrohovo (180 Euro per group of up to 15 pax, 250 Euro per group, includes transportation, guide serves and entrance fees), + VAT
Agent's Commission: 35 EUR
Prices will be adjusted based on specific tour request, based on the exact number of tourists, arrival and departure times, and other programme adjustments.